Norway star striker reached the 50-goal mark for his country in their 5-0 win over Israel on Sunday in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier between the sides.
Haaland netted a hattrick to take his national tally to 51 goals in just 46 games, way quicker than modern icons including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe did for their respective countries.
France star Mbapp and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski took 90 games to reach the same milestone, while record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi took 107 games for Argentina and Ronaldo needed 114 games with Portugal.
Haaland extended his leading tally in European qualifying to a remarkable 12 goals in six games Haaland scored with an angled shot in the 27th minute, a powerful downward header
in the 63rd, and a back-post header in the 72nd. However, a few minutes into the game, he was off target.
Haaland’s first penalty was hit low and saved by Daniel Peretz. But Polish referee Szymon Marciniak ordered the kick to be retaken because the goalkeeper had moved off his line too soon. Attempting the other corner the second time, Peretz guessed correctly again and palmed his effort away as Haaland looked on in disbelief.
Aside from the hat trick, Haaland was also instrumental in Norway’s third goal when his looming presence caused a blunder between Peretz and defender Dan Nachmias, leading to Israel’s second own goal of the game.
Haaland also has 12 goals in nine matches for City this season, taking his club tally to 136 in 155 games.
